surrounding it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrounding it is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that encircles or is in proximity to another object or concept. Example: "The garden, surrounding it is a beautiful stone wall that adds charm to the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because after all these years I am shocked at how little we in America talk about "it" and how the silence surrounding "it" is killing us quicker than the disease!

Huffington Post

One of New Zealand's geologic peculiarities is that its continental shelf — the relatively shallow seabed surrounding it — is about eighteen times larger than its land area.

The New Yorker

One glimpse of that lake and the stone chapel at its edge and the greenery surrounding it is something akin to time travel.

Forbes

Regardless, there's no denying SOTS and the conversation surrounding it is a very real thing that has wormed its way into the pop consciousness.

Vice

"Tinseltown, with its reference to the silver screen and the glamour surrounding it, is at least mildly positive," says Arnold Zwicky, visiting professor of linguistics at Stanford.

The New York Times - Magazine

Surrounding it is a Fulleresque scaffolding supporting 10,000 squinting electronic eyes.

The New York Times

Coral bleaches when the water surrounding it is too warm for too long.

The Guardian

Maintaining church buildings is a complicated task and the debate surrounding it is far from simple.

The Guardian - Opinion

The database is believed to contain hundreds of thousands of names, and the secrecy surrounding it is intensely controversial.

The Guardian

The road south from Rangoon to Kawhmu is new, but the way of life surrounding it is not.

The Guardian

The community surrounding it is small but flourishing, with folk tunes played next to R&B in clubs.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "surrounding it is", ensure the 'it' has been explicitly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The ancient city stands in ruins. Surrounding it is a vast desert."

Common error

Avoid using "surrounding it is" when a more direct phrasing would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The fence, surrounding it is a garden", use "A garden surrounds the fence" to emphasize the garden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surrounding it is" functions as a descriptive element, often introducing or elaborating on the environment or context of a previously mentioned subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in diverse contexts, from geographical descriptions to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surrounding it is" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to describe the environment or context around a specific subject. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's versatile enough for use across different registers, but primarily appears in neutral to formal contexts such as news and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the 'it' and avoid overuse where a more direct phrasing would improve clarity. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "encircling it is" or "around it is" to enhance stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encircling it is

Replaces "surrounding" with "encircling", emphasizing a complete enclosure.

enclosing it is

Focuses on the aspect of containing within an area.

around it is

Uses "around" for a more general indication of proximity.

bordering it is

Suggests a boundary or edge relationship.

adjacent to it is

Highlights direct adjacency or nearness.

in its vicinity is

Indicates being in the general area or neighborhood.

in the area around it is

More verbose, specifying the area around something.

close to it is

Emphasizes closeness without necessarily surrounding.

in proximity to it is

A more formal way of expressing nearness.

situated around it is

Focuses on the placement or location relative to something.

FAQs

How can I use "surrounding it is" in a sentence?

Use "surrounding it is" to describe what exists around a specific object or location. For example, "The island is small; surrounding it is a vast ocean".

What phrases are similar to "surrounding it is"?

Alternatives include "encircling it is", "around it is", or "enclosing it is", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "surrounding it is"?

While grammatically correct, "surrounding it is" can sometimes sound awkward if a more direct sentence structure would be clearer. Consider rephrasing for better flow if the sentence feels clunky.

What is the difference between "surrounding it is" and "it is surrounded by"?

"Surrounding it is" places emphasis on what is doing the surrounding, while "it is surrounded by" emphasizes the object being surrounded. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.